Machine for making and covering paper boxes



(No Model.) 5 sheets-sheet 1.

J. H. BITTERLICH. l MAGHINB POR MAKING AND GOVBRING PAPER BOXES.

I Patented Deo. 17, 1889..

0m.. ;YO'

N. PETERS. Phon-uxhogmpnur. washing n.0.

(No Model.) 5 sheets-sheet 2.

J. H. BITTBRLIGH'. MACHINE PoR MAKING AND GOVERING PAPER BOXES'.

110.417,533. n Patented Dec. 1'7, 1889.

NA PETERS, PhdLMugnphar. Withingun, D. C.

5 sheets-sheet "3.

(No Model.)

J. HJBITTERLIGH. MAGHINE Pon. MAKlNG AND GOVERING PAPER BOXES.

No. 417,533. Patented Deo. 17', 1889.

al mi):

(No Model.) 5 sheets-sheet 4.

J. H. BITTERLICH. MACHINE EOE MAKING AND ooVEEING PAPER BOXES.

No. 417,533. Y Patented Dec. 17, 1889.

Lrg/C344 uuuuufuuuu .MAM .Am

N4 PETERS. Pmmnmngmpnnr, washington D. c.

(No Model.) 5 sheets-sheen 5. A I

J. H. BITTERLICH.

' MACHINE EOEMAKING AND GOVERING PAPER BOXES.

C@ @MM A l Af/iam 9. 5mm-h i UNITED STAT-Es PATENTA OFFICE.

JUl-JIUS H. BITTERLICH, OF NEWr HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

SPECIFCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 417,533, dated December 17, 1889.

Application filed August 4, 1888. Serial No. 281,949. (No model.)

chine for making paper boxes, and particulai-ly ain-tight boxes, in which the box-body and the box-cover are of about equal depth, the object being to secure economy of space, effect a .saving of labor by securing the highest convenience and facility for all of the operations incident to the work, avoid waste :of 1naterial,and attain a high degree of perfection in the product by a superior application of the adhesives and a perfect tempering of the paper in Aits moistened state.

NVith these ends in view my invention consists in an apparatus adapted to be suspended above the work-table upon which the manual parts of the work are carried on;` in long horizontal steam-heated troughs Vfor the adhesives; in movable frames andi'distributingdrums located in such troughs ,in means for controlling the stock-strip in its relation to such drums and as to the amount of adhesive material applied to it; in a novel box-former; in a novel ,strip measurer and cutter, and in certain details of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described,- and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view in end elevation of `an apparatus embodying my invention and showing its adapta-V tion to 'forming box-bodies ,or box-covers. Fig. 2 is a similar reverse view showing the adaptation of the apparatus for covering such bodies or covers. Fig. 3 is a side view of the apparatus looking at the box-former. Fig. 4t is a similar View from the opposite side of the apparatus and looking at the measuring and covering attachments thereto. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detached sectional view of one of the troughs, and showing also one of the distributing-drums and one of the stripcontrollers. Fig. 6 is a detached perspective View of one of the drum-frames and drum. Fig. 7 is a detached plan view of one of the strip-controllers. Fig. 8 is a broken detached sectional view of the box-former and its spindle and standard. i Fig. 9 is a view of the boxformer in end elevation. Fig. 10 is a view of the former in transverse section with its parts separated. Fig. ll is a view showing the parts ofthe former separated on the diagonal line ct b of the preceding figure into two groups and laid side by side. Fig. l2 is an enlarged detached. view, in vertical section", through one of the stock-rolls, and showing the tapering plug in its either end. Fig. 13 is an enlarged detached view, partly in plan and partly in section on the line c d of Fig. 4, of the cutting-off shears; and Fig. 14 is a plan view of the manual roller employed to develop the corners of the green forms when the same are on the former.

As herein shown, two long horizontal troughsA and B, each having an isolated steam-chamber C and respectively located one above the other, are suspended over and throughout the length of the long work-table D, whereon the manual parts of the work are performed by operatives who stand on its opposite sides. Glue, sizing, or other adhesive material is supplied to one end of each trough by suitable pipes E, having faucets F F, and connected to reservoirs G G, preferably located in the room above, where the material is cooked and prepared. The opposite ends ofthe troughs have faucets H H, for drawing them off. The steamchamber C of each trough is connected at one end with a steampipe l, having valves J J, and provided at. the other end with steam-discharge connections K K, as shown. The suspension of the troughs may be effected in a variety of ways. As herein shown it is done by tubular rods LL, attached to the ceiling above. Only two of these rods are shown; but practically they will be arranged at suitable distances along the troughs, which are provided with flanged edges resting upon long slender horizontal beams M, located between the said rods and attached to clips N, secured to the same. roo Hollow distributing-drums O, made of light vsheet metal, are journaled in quadrangular frames P, setting into the troughs and having flanged ends Q, adapting them to rest upon the edges of the troughs and to be moved horizontally upon the same when desired to clean the troughs or secure more convenient access to those parts of the apparatus which lie adjacent to the drums. A horizontal strip-controller, (see Fig. 7,) provided for each drum, and extending transversely across the trough in which the drum is located, consists of a small roller R and two parallel arms S S, extended at their forward ends and provided with eyes. The drums and frames of the upper and lower troughs are arranged in the same vertical planes, so as to co-operate with each other, as will be described hereinafter. Cords T, coupling the corresponding upper and lower controllers through the eyes of the same, are provided for lifting them suticiently to cause their rollers R to strip any excess of adhesive material from the paper or lift it entirely above the drums. The controllers of the upper trough are pivoted to strip-controller shafts U, carrying small rollers V, and attached to clips W, embracing the suspension-rods L L, while the corresponding strip-controllers of the lower trough are pivoted to shafts X, secured to roller-arms Y, clipped to the lower ends of the said suspension-rods.

The stockcoils Z, which extend parallel with the drums and troughs, are supported in vertical racks A', located on opposite sides of the upper trough and suspended from rackshafts B', supported by rack-frames C', secured to the suspension-rods. Each 'coil (see Fig. 12) is mounted upon a cranked shaft D', carrying two tapering plugs E E', which respectively enter the opposite ends of the central opening of the coil, the inner plug-that is, the plug nearest to the cranked end of the shaft-being slotted to receive a pin F', carried thereby, whereby such plug is locked upon the shaft, with which the coil will th'en rotate. The outer ends of these plugs project beyond the ends of' the coil and so protect the edges thereof against injury by chafing against the racks A', in which the shaft is suspended. If desired, the racks may be set up to have frictional contact with the said ends of the plugs, so as to control the unwinding of the coil. Each of thesaid racks is provided with a vertical series of slots, whereby the stock-coils maybe shifted and lifted as they are unwound'and decrease in size, the full coils being placed with their cranks in the lower slots, as shown in the drawings, in which, however, the coils are shown as partly unwound. Roller-frames G', located above the upper trough, carry central rollers Il.' and I', situated one above the other, and two pairs of fiying roller J', of which one pair is located on one side of the trough and thc other on the opposite side thereof. Rollers K', carried by the roller-arms Y aforesaid, are located on opposite sides of the lower trough and coact with the drum therein. Deliveringrol-1ers L', carried by long arms M', secu red to the upper ends of the suspension-rods and extended therefrom out over the edges of the work-table, deliver the paper thereto. The said suspension-rods L L and the several parts attached thereto, inclusive of the racks and frames constituting the roll-carriers, form a supporting-frame of the machine, these frames being duplicated along the troughs thereof according to its capacity. The said suspension-rods and the frames, arms, and racks attached to them form, broadly speaking, suspension-f rames adapted to be hung from their upper ends and to support the troughs, being extended transversely thereto to carry the steek-coils and the uncoiled paper and to deliver the same to the taole below. So, too, the rollers, although differently named to facilitate distinguishing them apart, are all carrying-rollers in their common function of holding the uncoiled paper in a state of4 suspension. A standard N', firmly secured to the said table, carries a horizontal tapering spindle O', having a pin P' in its end and carrying the expansible box-former, which is composed of two corresponding acute-angle pieces Q' and two corresponding obtuse-angle pieces R', constructed and arranged to be fitted together to form a rectangular body and tenoncd and rabbeted, so as to be relatively separated without losing the integrity of their arrangement. The inner ends of these pieces are cut away, as at S', to form a circular opening, adapting the former to be slipped over the spindle before mentioned, while their opposite faces are grooved, as at T', to receive the rubber rings U', which draw the pieces together after their ex ansion u on the in-y ner end of the said spindle, which is larger than the outer end thereof.

A graduated measuring-board V', having its upper end provided with long hooks XV', and thereby adapted to be suspended from the shaft of a delivering-roller, is adapted in length to rest upon the table or extend below the same. This board is provided with a central longitudinal slot X', for the vertical adj ustment of a-.block forming a stop-gage Y' and the similar adjustment of a block or platform forming a cut-off gage Z', carrying a pair of shears A2, arranged horizontally, so that the strip will pass between their blades in position to be severed by them. A springr B2, placed betwecnthe shear-handles, serves to keep the blades normally apart. A cord C2 and'pulley D2, attached to the said handles, is provided for operating the shears conveniently froln the table. A roller E2, mounted in a handle F2, is provided for developing the corners of the green forms,bc they box-bodies or box-covers, when the same are still upon the box-former.

Depending fingers I2 12, secured to the stripcontroller shafts X', respectively, on opposite sides of the strip, are provided for keeping the same in place upon the lower drums. Glasses .l2 J2, inserted into the ends of the IOO IIO

ler shaft.

troughs, (see Fig., 2,) are provided for enabling the level of the materialntherein to bey `easily watched.

Having fully described myimproved apparatus, I will now set `forth the method vof its operation in the formation of a box-body and then in the covering of .the same.

Referring now to Figs. l and 3 of the drawings, thestrip G2, which is a heavy quality of paper, is led from the` stock-roll over the drum of the upper trough, which is preferably filled with'a thin solution of glue or sizing, the same beingapplied to the under surface of the strip which passes down overh'the strippingrollerof the strip-controller and under the roller vmounted on the adjacent-strip-controlup and overA the roller H', thence down over that pair of flying rollers J J' located adjacent -to the stock-roll,y thence down to and-under the adjacent roller K' and over the corresponding drum of the lower trough, which is filled lwith glue, the same being applied to the stripwhich has been prepared to receive it by the previousv application of sizing. The glued `strip then passes over the roller of the strip-controller of the drum just mentioned and under the adjacent roller K', thence up and over the other pair of iiying rollers J' J', thence over the roller I', and thence to the i delivering-roller L' ,located on the side of the apparatus on which the stock-roll is located;

From the delivering-rollerthe strip drops down over the box-former with its glued side out or uppermost. An 'operative standing by the same seizes the end of the strip and places it upon the former,which is now manually rotated until the required number of thicknesses of paper have been secured upon it, when the strip, being damp, is' broken off by hand or cut with a knife.v AThis done, the former is slipped Aalong Vto `the Vouter and smaller end of the forming-spindle, Where it" is contracted by the rubber rings which hold its parts together, thereby leaving the boxbody formed upon it free to be removed. Before this is done, however, thef body has secured to it a straw-board box-bottom, (or coVer-top,when covers are being made,) which is supported meanwhileiby the pin in the end of the spindle, those edges of the stripadjacent to the said box-bottom being lapped over upon .the same. The green box-body is now removed from the former and the operation repeated, every operation reeling more paper from the roll and drawing it over the drums.. The said box-.body has now to be covered with a paper of lighter weight and perhaps fancy coloring. operation attention is called to Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings, in which the strip H2 from the stock-roll-follows the exact course already pointed out, and is eventually delivered with its gumm'ed side out to the measuring-board,

the stop-gage and cut-offv gage whereof are set according to the length of the sections to be cut off. If the strips are to be used in cov- From` this roller the strip passes For this covering ering the boxes formed as described,they are adapted in lengththereto. The attendant standing by this board pulls t-he strip down to the stop-gage, and then either applies the article to be covered to it and rolls it over on the board and then pulls the cord,l

causing the shears to cut it oit', or measures and cuts oif strip after strip, the strips so obtained being then handed to another attendant, who uses them. It may be noted that in preparing the covering-strip for useless gum is applied to it, this being controlled by the 'strip-controllers.

All of this apparatus being suspended above the Work-table, a great economy of space is secured, together with a convenience greatly facilitating the work,which may be' Y is applied .to dry paper, which at once absorbs the water in it. Then, again, in case the glue is not well applied when the paper goes over the first drum, the chances are that spots not -IOO touched then will be when in a generally moistened, and hence more pliant, state it passes over the second drum. Thefpaper, being suspended or held some'time before its delivery for use, becomes so well tempered as to work better and withless wrinkling than under old methods of handling and treating it. eachtrough contains .a great amount of adhesive material, which is therefore taken-up and reduced in level very slowly, the degree to which the drums are immersed in such ma- Under this linvention also, and ,because terialL is maintained virtually without iuctuation-obviously securing a more uniforml distribution-whereas in apparatus containing only a small supply of-glue its level is changed rapidly, so that the drums will be imnlersed more at one time than at another, and hence effect an unequal distribution' of the adhesive. Again, under this inventionthe adhesive materials are easily and economic-` y Vally handled. If desired, they can at any time be drawn off from the troughs for changing them foi` different material or to permit the troughs to be washed out. The adaptation of the drum-frames to be moved lengthwise of the troughs favors an easy care of the u apparatus. The amount of adhesive material applied to the paper is readily controlled by raising or lowering the strip-controllers vby means of the coupling-cord. Vhen the controllers are lifted, the rollers carried at their forward ends operate to strip the adhesive from the paper back intothe troughs, the

amount of adhesive soy removed being proportional to the lifting of the controllers. If desired, the controllers may be lifted so as to clear the paper of the drums altogether. In this way the gummed paper may be used up clean and waste avoided, the length of paper passing through without being gummed being cut off and afterward put through in contact with the rolls.

It is apparent that in carrying out my invention some changes in the construction an d arrangement of parts herein shown and described may be made. I would therefore have it understood that I do not limit myself to such construction and arrangement, but hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Havingfully described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a machine for making paper boxes, the combination, With a supporting-frame, of a long horizontal trough mounted therein, a distributing-drum mounted in the trough and extending parallel therewith, and stock and carrying rolls extending parallel with the trough and drums and mounted in the frame, which is thereto extended transversely to the trough and to the general direction of the machine, the trough being adapted to receive a series of drums, each of which will have its complement of rolls, whereby several stock-strips may be passed transversely across the trough and delivered from the sides thereof, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for making paper boxes, the combination, with upright suspension-rods adapted to be supported from their upper ends, of a long trough suspended from the said rods, a distributing-drum located in the trough and extending parallel therewith, rollcarriers attached to the said rods and extending out on opposite sides of the trough at a right angle to the length thereof, and stock and carrying rolls mounted in the said rollcarriers and extending parallel with .the trough and drum, the stock-strip being passed and repassed transversely across the trough and delivered from one side of the same, substantially as described.

`3. In a machine for making paper boxes, the combination, with a supporting-frame having laterally-extending roll-carriers, of two long troughs arranged vertically one above the other and suspended in the said frame, a distributing-dru 1n located in each of the said troughs and extending parallel therewith, stock and carrying rolls mounted in the said roll-carriers, which project out on opposite sides of the trough and arranged to pass the stock from one drum to the other, the stock being passed and repassed transversely over the troughs and delivered from one side of them, substantially as described.

4. In a machine for making paper boxes, the combination, with a long horizontal trough,

of a quadrangular drum-frame supportedr upon the upper edges thereof and adapted to be freely moved endwise thereupon, a drum mounted in the frame and extending parallel with the trough, and means for supporting a stock-roll and conducting the stock transversely across the trough and over the drum, substantially as described.

5. In amachine for making paper boxes, the combination, with a trough, of a drum mounted therein and extending parallel therewith, a strip-controller consisting of two long pivotal arms and a drum mounted in them and located in position for the stock-strip to pass over it, and means for lifting the said controller, whereby the stock-strip may be raised up to clear the drum or to make greater or less contact therewith, substantially as described.

G. In a machine for making paperboxes, the combination, with a trough, of a drum mounted therein and extending parallel therewith, a vertically-adjustable strip-controller adapted to engage t-he under side of the stockstrip, and means for adjusting the said controller and holding it in its adjustment, substantially as described.

7. In a machine for making paperboxes, the combination,with two long horizontal troughs, of a drum located in each trough and extending parallel therewith, a strip-controller located over each drum and extending transversely across the troughs thereof, and a coupler connecting the corresponding stripcontrollers of the two troughs, substantially as set forth.

S. In a machine for making paperboxes, the combination, with a box-former composed of four angled pieces having their corresponding faces rabbeted and tenoned, and each segmentally grooved at each end to formavhen assembled, two circular grooves, of elastic rings located in the said circular grooves, and a stationary forming-spindle upon which the box-former is manually moved, substantially as set forth.

9. In a machine for making paperboxes, the

combination, with a frame adapted to be suspended from its upper end over a work-table, of a horizontal trough mounted in the said frame, a drum located in the trough and extending parallel therewith, carrying-rollers extending parallel with the trough and drum mounted in the frame, which is thereto extended transversely to the trough, and a measuring-board extending between the said rollers and the work-t( ble below the frame and provided with a gage, substantially as set forth.

l0. In a machine for making paper boxes, the combination, with a frame suspended over a work-table, of a horizontal trough suspended in the said frame, a drum located in the trough and extending parallel therewith, carrying-rollers mounted in the frame and extending parallel with the trough and drum, and a measuring-board suspended from its IOO IIO

forth.

upper end extending down tothe Work-table from the rolls and carrying one or more gages and a cutting-off device, substantially asl set suspended from its upper end over a Worktable, and consisting of vertical suspensionrods and lateral arms attached thereto, of a horizontal trough mounted in the said frame, a drum mounted in the trough and extending parallel therewith, carrying-rollers mounted in the frame and extending parallel With the trough and drum, and forming and measuring devices, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have. signed this specification inthe presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JULIUS H. BITTERLICH.

Witnesses:

CHAs. B. SHUMWAY, vM. Sv. SEELEY. 

